In the field of large-scale consumption and gastronomy, the shortage of staff and thus also the demand for low-expenditure fresh produce is the order of the day. Parallel to this social trend, the product selection of high-quality cuttings and convenience items is also growing. The family-owned company Kluth KG, headquartered in Willich, Germany, also recognized this trend at an early stage and has been relying on round-the-clock delivery from regional restaurateurs with own-cut produce for several years. Flexibility and expertise are in the foreground, says Managing Director Simone Kluth.
"We have come from active agriculture and have always dealt with the cultivation of potatoes and vegetables," said Mrs. Kluth. From the original vegetable farm in 2007, a potato peeling plant originated. In 2015, there was another expansion. The Kluth family created a new location in Willich (Münchheide industrial park). On the parental farm, there is still today the farm shop for local consumers.
"Since then, a production facility for all kinds of fresh convenience items has developed on the second location. Despite this capacity expansion, we see ourselves first and foremost as a manufacturer, since we want to respond to individual wishes of our customers. Our delivery area has a radius of approx. 120 km: this means we can deliver our products 'just-in-time' to the customer."
Markus and Simone Kluth expanded the family business into a full-fledged convenience business.
Expertise and active communication
The German pre-cut sector is still in its infancy. Since the new construction on the second location, the product selection has grown considerably: "We can already supply one carrot variety in approx. 25 sizes," explains Ms Kluth. "You have to be able to provide the appropriate expertise and advice on the phone or we need to be able to empathize with the chef. That's our advantage over wholesalers, which are focused primarily on raw materials."
On the one hand, pre-cut items make work easier in the kitchens, on the other hand, they sometimes compensate for a lack of specialist personnel. "Having a reliable pre-cut partner makes you a bit more independent of illness or vacation time, giving customers consistently consistent quality, which is important for foodservice pricing and provides a little peace of mind."
Sustainability and direct procurement of goods
In order to be able to guarantee uncompromising freshness, the direct procurement of goods is a significant pillar of Kluth KG. "The close connection to regional farmers or family-structured growers is particularly important to us."
A corresponding pricing policy creates a basis of trust. "Because of our many years of experience in active agriculture, we know that farmers are struggling with extreme price pressure. That's why we particularly focus on communication with our farmers: sometimes you just have to adjust prices. It is no good to us if the grower no longer exists as a partner a year later."
Pleasing growth rates in wok blends
Because of the location in the midst of the fertile Rhineland, a large part of the assortment directly grows on-site in the fields. Even fancier products are nowadays grown mainly within the region. At the same time, there is a growing diversity in the nationwide catering industry: "Whether it is Asian, Italian or middle-class German. For each customer group we have to provide the corresponding workload at the end of the day. What is now increasing dramatically are Asian pans and wok blends, which our customers can choose from and put together themselves. Apart from the standard ingredients, there are over 20 variations to choose from."
For more information:
FRISCHETEAM Geschwister Kluth KG
Simone Kluth
Carl-Friedrich-Benz-Str. 3
47877 Willich
Tel.: 02154-8138900
Fax: 02154-8138904
Email: info@obstgemueseliefern.de
www.obstgemueseliefern.de/